Electric traction.



Patented 1an. 2l, |902. B. CRUVELLIER.

2 Sheets--Sheet I..v

No. @sbs6-o.

ELECTRIC TRAJTIUN. (Application medsepc. s, 1900.) (No Model.)

l "7 maw /d M M .THE NOHPKS PETERS CD. FNOTO-LITNO, WASHINGTON. D. C.

No. 69|,360L Patented lan. 2|, |902` B. CRUVELLIER.

ELECTRIC TRACTION.

(Aoplation filed Sept. S. 1900.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE..

BAPTISTIN CRUVELLIER, OF MARSEILLES, FRANCE.

ELECTRIC TRACTION.

SPECIFICATION forming-v part of Letters Patent No. 691,360, .dated January 21,1902. Application filed September 8, 1900. Serial No. 29,355. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Beit known that LBAPTISTIN ORUVELLTER, a citizen of the Republic of France, residing at Marseilles, France, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Traction, of which the following is a specilication.

This invention has for its object a novel system of electric traction with surface contacts. This system is characterized by the combination of contact-boxes of special construction with one or more series of differentially-magnetized bars carried beneath the Vehicle. The contact-boxes consist of hermetically-closed contact cavities or chambers, in which are placed movable circuit closers .of suitabley shape--preferably hollow spheres, for example-intended to make contact at the required time. These movable circuit-closers, which are attracted by the magnetized bars on the vehicle, are brought back to their position of rest by gravity, to which is added the attractive action of magnetized masses in the boxes. The movable circuit-closers and the cavities may, as has already been stated, be of any suitable shape, but are preferably spherical, as shown in the drawings. The spheres are made of any suitable conducting material-such as carbou,copper, or the likeand are hollow, their interior being more or less filled with a magnetizable material-such as iron filings, nails, or scraps. The movable circuit-closers may be free, or, if necessary, suitably guided, or also they may be counected by a wire to one of the contacts of the chamber.

Contact-boxes according to this invention have generally two or more chambers, each ,containing one or several movable circuitclosers. .The movable circuit-closers are of dierent weights, their weight differing pro-v -brush, and the contact-box.

companying drawings,forming part hereof, in which- Figure l is a diagrammatic view illustrating in longitudinal section the arrangement ofthe magnetized bars andthe brushes and -in side elevation the contact-boxes, embodying main features of myinvention. Fig. 2 is a vtransverse sectional view of the bars, the

Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional view illustrating the preferred form and arrangement of the contact-box and movable contact-bodies. Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 3, butillustrating a modification in which the contact-box is placed in the ground and connected directly with the road-surface contact. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but illustrating a modilied arrangement adapted for use for ordinary distribution in desired circuit with a continuous current, the return being through the rails illustrated in cross-section. Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 3,'but illustrating a modified arrangement adapted for use for distribution with a continuous current in series at a high tension. Figs. 7 and 8 are respectively longitudinal and transverse sectional views illustrating a further modified form of theiuvention applicable for use with the triphase currents of high tension having two insulated conductors, the other conductor being the rail or rails of the road; and Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a modification adapted for use with triphase currents having three insulated conductors.

I do not limit myself to these arrangements, which are only given as illustrating the methodof carrying out this invention.

It may be remarked that the system is always the same and that the differences consist only in the number and arrangement of the contact-chambers containing the movable circuit-closers.

In Figs. l and 2, 1 is the vehicle, 2 its motor, and 3 and 4 the diierentially-magnetized bars, arranged inpairs. Each pair of bars 3 or 4 is magnetized by electromagnets 3a or 4a, so that one bar of each pair of bars 3 or 4'is of north, and the other bar of said pair 3 or 4 is of south polarity, as clearly indicated in Figs. l and 2 of the drawings.

-. 5 and 6 are the brushes, which run for a cer-- tain distance along the side of the bars. The

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brushes may be placed either between the bars or be arranged at the side of them, as shown in Fig. 2.

7 and Sare the rails. (Not shown in Fig. 1.)

9 represents the contact-boxes.

10 represents the road-surface contact. In Fig. 2 it is shown remote from the box 9; but in the other figures it is placed above it. In this latter case the brushes 5 and 6 are arranged between the magnetized bars.

X X indicate the level ot' the road.

11 and 12 are the insulated conductors.

The contact-box (shown in Fig. 3) is a boX 9, placed within a casing 13, the cover 10 of which forms the road-surface contact. The box 9 is formed with two cavities 14 15, formed in an insulating mass of porcelain, glass, compressed paper, ebouite, or of other material. It is formed of two parts, between which a vwasher 35, of rubber or other material, is placed. These boxes are consequently hermetic-ally closed. In each of the cavities a movable circuit-closer of suitable shape is placed. In the cavity 14 I place a sphere 16 and in the cavity 15 asphere 17. These spheres are formed of metal, carbon, or other conducting-body. They are hollow, and within the same is placed a suitable quantity of softiron filings. The sphere 16, having less filings, is lighter than the sphere 17,.having more filings, and there should be between them the same ratio as there is between the strength of the magnetism in the two pairs of magnetized bars 4 and 3. In the cavity 14 a Contact 18 is connected to the paving 10 or road-surface contact 10. A contact 19 is connected to the contact 20 in the cavity 15, which has contacts 2l 22, connected, respectively, to the two line-wires 11 and 12.

23 and 24 are masses of metal constituting permanent'magnets. These masses of metal are arranged in such a manner that they may be magnetized by the crossing of the electromagnets on the vehicle. These masses are proportional to the weight of the spheres, and consequently to the attractive power of the magnetized bars in the vehicle.

The contactbox works in the following manner: The vehicle moves forward with the small bars 4 in front. As soon as they come above a contact box the magnetic action causes the attraction of the lighter sphere 16, which presses against the top of the cavity 14 and establishes communication between the.

contacts 1S and 19. As the contact 18 is in communication with the road-surface contact 10, the latter is put into connection with the positive wire 12 by means of the contacts 19 20, the sphere 17, and the contact 22. vThe current is thus led level with the road, and a moment later the brush, which, as has already been described and shown, is shorter than the bars, closes the circuit between the road-surface contact 10 and the motor 2 on the vehicle 1. As may be seen, up to now the sphere 17 has remained stationary. The vehicle continues its forward movement, and the large bars 3 act in their turn upon the contact-box and attract the -two spheres. The sphere 17 on being raised interrupts communication between the contacts 20 and 22, which has the eect of breaking the positive circuit and completing the negative circuit by connecting the contacts 2O and 21. The road-surface contact 10 is therefore in communication with the negative or return line, and a moment afterward the brush 5 of the large bars closes the circuit between the road-surface contact 10 and the motor 2. this latter may therefore reenter the line and return to the generator. tnues to move forward and the brush 5 leaves the road-surface contact 10 and breaks the circuit at the surface of the road. The two spheres still remain for a moment pressed against the top of the vcontact-box under the influence of the bars 3, which are longer than the brush. They then, as soon as these bars become farther removed, fall by their own weight and also because of the attraction of the two masses 23 and 24.

The breaking as well as the making of the contacts takes place, consequently, without sparking, for the making and breaking always occurs upon a road surface contact which is no longer in the circuit.

In Fig. 4 there is shown a similar contactbox, except that there is no protecting-casing 13, it being placed directly in the ground.

In Fig. 5, which shows an arrangement for use with a continuous current in derived circuit and ordinary distribution, but one pair of bars 3 or 4 maybe used. In this form the hollow sphere 36 is attracted by the bars3 or 4 as the car passes over the con tact-box. The circuit is then completed between the cable or conductor 37 and road-surface contact 10 through contacts 3S and 39. The return is through the car to the rails 7 and 8.

In Fig. 6 the arrangement is adapted for use where a continuous current in series is distributed, the current being of high tension. In this form two hollow spheres 40 and 41 are used, and they require two pairs of magnetizable bars 3 and 4 of equal strength. Each sphere 40 and 41 contains in its interior the same amount of magnetizable material, and both are attracted simultaneously by the magnetic bars. When the two spheres are raised, the current passes from line 42 to road surface contact 10 and thence partly through the car and partly to the line 43. When, however, both are lowered, the current passes directly through the box from line 42 to line 43. A resistance 44 serves to throw the required portion of the current through the motor in the car in the usual manner.

In Figs. 7 and S a modied arrangement is illustrated, whereby triphase currents of high tension may be utilized. In this form 45 and 46 are two insulated conductors for the current, the third being the rail or rails upon which the car travels. In this form three hollow spheres 47, 48, and 49 are required, and

The current which drives The vehicle coni IOO IIO

two pairs of magnetic bars 3 and 4 of difterential strengths are used. As the bars 4 of less strength approach and slide over the contact 10 the central hollow sphere 48, with less magnetizable material, is attracted, thereby connecting the conductor 46 with the surface contact 10 through contact 50, sphere 49, contacts 5l and 52, sphere 48, and contact 53. When the second pair of bars 3 pass upon contact 10, the other two spheres 47 and 49 are elevated, the other sphere 48 still remaining elevated. The connection is then formed between conductor 45, contact 54, sphere 47, contact to road-surface contact 10, and at the same time the former connection between line 46 and contact 10 is broken by the rise of sphere 49. In this form the rail or rails is connected with the one terminal of triphase motor of the car in the usual way and the road-surface contact 10 when bars 3 are passing over it is connected with the second terminal of said motor, whereas when bars 4 are passing over the contact 10 this contact isconnected with the third terminal of said motor.

In Fig. 9 the modification is adapted Vfor use with triphase currents having three insulated conductors. In this form there are four hollow spheres 56, 57, 58, and 59, and three pairs of magnetic bars of differing strengths are required. When the first and weakest of these bars comes over the contact l0, the hollow sphere 57 is raised, thus connecting the insulated conductor through sphere 58, contacts 61, 62, and 63, sphere 57, and contact 64. Vhen, however, the second pair of bars of intermediate strength pass over the contact 10, the sphere 58 iselevated, as well as sph-ere 57, which remains in elevated v position. The elevation ot sphere 58 breaks the connection heretofore described between conductor 60 and contact 10 and at the same time brings conductor into connection with contact lO through contact 66, sphere 59, contact 67, contact 68, sphere 58, contacts 69 and 63, sphere 57, and contact 64. When, however, the third and strongest pair of bars reach the contact lO, all the spheres are raised, and the previous connection between conductor 65 and contact 10 is broken by the elevation of sphere 59. The connection is now made between conductor 70 with contact 10 through contact 7l, sphere 56, contacts 72 and 73,

sphere 57, and contact 64. It is understood that each of the three pairs of bars, through their brushes, is separately connected to one terminal of the triphase motor of the oar.

Having thus described the nature and objects of my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. In an electric traction system, a contactbox provided with a closed chamber or cavity and an active electric-circuit closer movable in said chamber or cavity and comprising a hollow sphere of conducting non-magnetic material, and loose magnetizable material inclosed in said sphere.

2. In a system of electric traction, a circuit-closer, comprising a hollow body formed of a conductive but non magnetizable substance, and magnetizable material loosely arranged within said hollow body.

3. In a system of electric tractiona contact-box provided witha series of closed cavities or chambers, a series of movable circuitclosers arranged within the chambers, each consisting of a hollow shell of conductive and non-magnetizable material, the interior of the shells being differentially illed with loose magnetizable material, in combination with magnets of dierential energy located below the shells and adapted to return the shells to their inactive position. 4

4. In a system of electric traction, a vehicle provided on its under surface with brushes to collect the current, a contact-box having surface contacts over which the brushes travel, a plurality of magnetized bars of varying strength arranged below the vehicle and above the brushes, and a series of circuitclosers movable in the contact-box, each circuit-closer, comprising a hollow sphere of conductive and non-magnetic material, said spheres having in their interior varying quantities of magnetic material corresponding to the varying strength of the magnetized bars of the vehicle.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.-

BAPTISTIN oRUvELLIR. 

